The Philosopher-Scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and his World View: A Study

J. Pamela

Abstract: The essay is a study of the role of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as a Philosopher-Scientist. It traces his life from his childhood days as a middle-class, religious and cloistered student to his life as a studious young scientist holding many a prestigious chair. The essay focuses on how Dr. Kalam amalgamates the two contrasting factors—science and spirituality—and evolves a cult of his own. It also discusses how he lived by this promising code of conduct and inspires the younger generation to follow suit.

Keywords: Philosopher-Scientist, scientific technology, spirituality, dreams, world view

In answer to a student’s question about the difference between a scientist and a philosopher, former President of India, the rocket scientist, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam replied thus:

A scientist deals with theory which has to be validated. A philosopher postulates theological, philosophical and spiritual thoughts, the validation of which are the societal dynamics. Science ultimately results in technology and benefits the society. Philosophy leads the way to the dynamics of society (Indomitable Spirit 34).

Kalam’s ability to be a harmonious inhabitant of both scientific knowledge as well as philosophical theory is a significant one which has to be followed by the younger generation whom Kalam held in particular concern. A keen listener that he was, he acknowledges that what his father professed as divinity. His father had extended the idea thus: “‘Release yourself from the bindings that limit you and let that power overtake your mind, and that’s when you will be on the road to true happiness and peace’” (My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions 7). Kalam admits that his father’s preaching still resonates in his mind despite his years into scientific technology.

Kalam quite often highlights the fact that his mother’s presence during his childhood has a meaningful significance to it despite her cloistered life and lack of education. His memories of his childhood and the power that his simple upbringing had over his noteworthy life had been everlasting and contained the love of his parents and their honest hard work.

While his parents inculcated the habit of simplicity, honesty and perseverance in him, Ahmed Jalalluddin, a distant relative and later his brother-in-law was yet another life-long inspiration that Kalam was blessed enough to have. Kalam reminiscences about him thus: “Walking with him in the streets of Rameswaram, . . . , my mind began to form ideas and ambitions” (Journey 15). In fact in his autobiography,Wings of Fire, Kalam ardently says that “It was he who made me aware of a “brave, new world” beyond our narrow confines” (7). Thus Jalalluddin may be said to have sown the seeds of bigger interests in the mind of a small town boy who knew little apart from a coastal town living in harmony with its religious, cultural and economic diversity.

Kalam’s father who taught him the power of the divine power also educates him that the merciful powers can also sometimes be destructive. Nature in all its abundance had fed the family with its waves, fishes and coconut groves. Yet Kalam had the opportunity to witness the deadly power of Nature when the cyclone of 1964 left the island town in shambles. Kalam attributes his stoicism to his father and his this one experience as a scientist when he struggled to give shape to the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) rocket, or the Prithvi and Agni missiles, when the launches were disrupted and when the launch sites were rained upon (Journey 18).

The World War II and the poor economic conditions put forth a new challenge to Kalam. His large and extended family felt the strain of feeding its many members. Samsuddin, Kalam’s cousin, was a newspaper distribution agent who came up with an encouraging proposal of distributing newspapers to the thousand literates of Rameswaram. Kalam was delighted by the proposal and at eight years of age is happy that he is able to help his family. Kalam also knew well that time will not wait for him and that he had to compete with it with all his resourcefulness and intelligence. This became his daily routine later in life—a routine he never regretted nor had time to ruminate upon.

Kalam is proud of his motherland that he calls her “a syncretic creation of the best of our diverse traditions” (40). He remembers his childhood with affection, for the “divisions and vicissitudes of the outside world rarely made their way” into the town in which he lived, the society i